"Anyone who knows Senator Reid knows he never backs down when he's fighting for what's right and that he always stands up to John McCain when he is wrong," Jim Manley, Reid's press secretary, told CNN. "Shrill and sarcastic political attacks may fire up the Republican base, but they don't change the fact that a McCain-Palin administration would mean four more years of failed bush-Cheney policies."

The reaction came after Palin specifically called out Reid during her address to the Republican National Convention, saying the Nevada Democrat "can't stand up to John McCain."

"Harry Reid, the Majority Leader of the current do-nothing Senate, not long ago summed up his feelings about our nominee. He said, quote, 'I can't stand John McCain,'" Palin said to roaring applause from the crowd. "Clearly what the Majority Leader was driving at is that he can't stand up to John McCain."

soundoff(674 Responses)

nice story CNN... so how about the speech? any substance? any policy description?

you're biases are showing

September 4, 2008 01:11 am at 1:11 am |

Michael

I watched the Palin speech carefully, asking myself one question: would I want this person to be President of the United States at a time of national crisis?

No way, No how.

What I saw was a slick, snide, sarcastic, mean-spirited attack dog right out of the Atwater-Rove playbook. Sarah Palin's selection is an insult to women in particular, and the American electorate in general.

September 4, 2008 01:11 am at 1:11 am |

Dave

whououeeee.. that's it.... after living off my tax money for decades all Reid can comment on is her vocal chords!!! WHAT A JOKE. Typical Male reponse. Where are the outraged democratic women who take exception to Reids characterization of a woman who has something meaningful to contribute??? THATS IT? THATS WHAT WE PAID FOR?????? Time to get a new Reid.

September 4, 2008 01:11 am at 1:11 am |

Will

What a poor choice of words, or word rather.

As Campbell Brown pointed out the word "shrill" is usually used in reference to women and in a demeaning way. Harry Reid needs to hire a new press secretary and realize that if the charges of sexism against the Democrats gain traction then Obama will have that much more of a tough time being elected in November.

Comments like "shrill" coming from a male US Senator's office is going to also make it that much harder for people to question Palin's experience and ability to serve as VP, especially when outlets like CNN are afraid of being labeled sexist themselves and will therefore overcompensate by directing negative attacks against Reid and the Democrats in response.

September 4, 2008 01:11 am at 1:11 am |

Chi4Obama

So when the Democrats hit back against Palin, will they be called "sexist" for beating up on "poor Sarah"...??

September 4, 2008 01:12 am at 1:12 am |

Lazarus

Ha ha nice moment on CNN tonight when the commentators got this little clip. The two women on the panel looked ANGRY. That sort of language will not help the Democrats.

September 4, 2008 01:12 am at 1:12 am |

Jessica from Tennessee

The sheer rudeness of this speech overflowed with bipartisan thinking–this is the kind of America I'm tired of experiencing. Obama-Biden 08

September 4, 2008 01:12 am at 1:12 am |

yen

It scares me even to imagine it. The McCain /Palin Admininstration.
She is full of contradictions, conflicts and double standards. He is another Mr. Bush again. What is going on in America? People are losing their common sense. This is a time that we need collective prayer to save us from McCain/Palin. He has already lost it, when he picked her to be his V.P.

September 4, 2008 01:12 am at 1:12 am |

ginger

Not only this she mocked Sen. Obama. Oh this getting good. I can't wait for Sen. Obama and Joe Biden to slap her down with the truth. Gov. Palin, word of advice, please go to factcheck before you speak again. In the morning the newspapers and radio stations will have you looking very foolish.

September 4, 2008 01:12 am at 1:12 am |

Greg

And yet every one of the attacks was on the money. Go figure.

Face it, Obama is a joke!

September 4, 2008 01:12 am at 1:12 am |

Gee, Alabama

Mrs. Palin is once more proof of the fact that beauty is only skin deep.

September 4, 2008 01:12 am at 1:12 am |

Tracy

What is this? Second Grade?

September 4, 2008 01:13 am at 1:13 am |

Belle

Hey Harry,
THIS DEMOCRAT IS VOTING MCCAIN/PALIN and VOTING FOR ANYONE RUNNING AGAINST YOU!

Your comments are BENEATH contempt, and you are showing how SEXIST you really are. You are supposed to represent the women of Nevada too!

September 4, 2008 01:13 am at 1:13 am |

CB

You are absolutely correct. She sound like she was scrubbing her teeth against the black board.

September 4, 2008 01:13 am at 1:13 am |

Don from California

She did sound shrill, but there is a lot worse things she could have been. I'm supporting Obama, but I can at least recognize greatness when I see it. She was heroic in her delivery tonight, and she deserves the respect of a serious contender. But, she was shrill.... and totally demeaning to many Americans. The republicans, including Palin, came off rediculously negative and sarcastic. I guess there new modo is "If you can't beat em, beat em down with baseless attacks.

September 4, 2008 01:14 am at 1:14 am |

arlene, CA

Not a word about economy, health care, or anything. Nothing about what their vision is for America. I agree with Senator Reed.